Online Shopping Site Features Discounts From More Than 600 Retailers and Includes Charitable Giving Component

The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, one of 12 cancer centers in the Cancer Research Alliance (CRA), and Mall Networks, the leading provider of merchant-funded loyalty shopping solutions, today announced the launch of a new online shopping mall to raise money for cancer research and patient care programs. Just in time for the holiday shopping season, consumers can visit www.shopforcancercures.org and make purchases from more than 600 popular online merchants from department stores such as Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue to budget super stores such as Wal-Mart and Target. Travel sites such as Orbitz and Travelocity also are included, along with some hotel chains. A portion of each purchase will benefit cancer programs at M. D. Anderson and the 11 other cancer centers within the CRA.

Starting today, consumers can visit www.shopforcancercures.org for their holiday shopping needs and help fight cancer without having to fight a crowd. Highlights of the online shopping mall include:

“In today’s uncertain economic climate, consumers want to make each dollar go as far as possible. This site provide the opportunity for people to choose gifts for their loved ones from many retailers with whom they would ordinarily shop, while helping others who are facing the difficult challenge of cancer,” said John Mendelsohn, M.D, president of M. D. Anderson. “We are pleased to team with Mall Networks for this exciting project because it truly has the potential to make a difference in the fight against cancer.”

Ben Kaplan, COO of Mall Networks, said, “We are delighted to support the CRA in its efforts to raise money for these highly regarded cancer centers this holiday season by offering the most innovative and exciting online shopping program for consumers. Driving consumers to actively support the CRA is crucial to the success of the Shop for Cancer Cures campaign, and our online shopping program is an effective way to help reach this goal. With this new online mall, we’re proud to help the CRA to simultaneously engage holiday shoppers and accelerate cancer research.”